Everton FC moved back into the top four with a 4-1 win over Fulham that was not always as convincing as the scoreline suggests.

Roberto Martinez's men had it too easy in a one-sided first half as they cruised into the lead, but a second half Fulham fightback had them shaken.

However, the Blues ensured a festive afternoon ended with the cheer it warranted, and moved a point ahead of Liverpool in the table.

They had looked set for a comfortable stroll from the first whistle, as Gerard Deulofeu enjoying his second Premier League start tormented John Arne Riise ceaselessly, and the hosts seemed to craft a chance with almost every move.

But the waves of Toffees attacks kept coming, and eventually they capitalised.

Bryan Oviedo linked smartly with Steven Pienaar, who switched the ball to Leon Osman, and on his 300 top flight appearance the midfielder turned on the edge of the area and delivered a classy left-footed finish.

It seemed like the handful of Fulham fans who had made the trip from West London were in for a tortuous trip, as Deulofeu almost sent Lukaku through on goal with a teasing pass.

Then Ross Barkley's fierce attempt was blocked by Aaron Hughes, and Osman seized on the loose ball to fire a right footed volley just wide.

The Cottagers mounted a rare counter in reply, as Riise burst down the left and his cut back was deflected, then met by Giorgos Karagounis who flashed a shot wide. But the one-way traffic quickly resumed.

Whatever Rene Meulensteen said at the interval did the trick however, as his side emerged with a far more committed and attacking approach that gave them hope of their first point at Goodison for 54 years.

Everton's Gareth Barry celebrates scoring his team's third

Tim Howard had to be on top form to deny Ashkan Dejagah's low shot, and Everton rode their luck when Alexander Kacaniklic fired over with the goal gaping at is mercy from close range.

Everton's own play had become dangerously ponderous, and although Sascha Riether had to head Oviedo's low defected strike off the line, the momentum remained with the visitors.

They got their just rewards when Gareth Barry's was adjudged to have fouled Kacaniklic in the area, and ref Anthony Taylor pointed to the spot. Dimitar Berbatov converted with characteristic ease.

Make no mistake, this was a scare. Emboldened the visitors began to push and Everton's nerves really kicked in.

Things got worse when Deulofeu was stretchered off injured, but when respite was badly needed – Seamus Coleman delivered.

The right-back timed his run into the penalty area to perfection and met Pienaar's low cross to finish at the first attempt.

Ensuing goals from Gareth Barry, who nodded in from close range when Fulham failed to clear Distin's header form a corner, and Kevin Mirallas added a gloss to proceedings.

The Toffees had certainly wobbled, but proved they have the spirit to persevere and deservedly crept back into the Champions League places.